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I do wonder how CC have been made to conduct several successful trials / pilots over the years and yet, even if Wirepas, BCITS and Silicon labs have a keen offering, they are allowed to partake in the Indian prepaid smart meter rollout without any similar trials / pilots in India which over the years ...unless, they have been done abroad, such as Nigeria or Scandinavia.

BCITS to build a Wirepas-based RF mesh communication solution for Advanced Metering Infrastructure in India

https://www.wirepas.com/news-and-more/bcits-to-build-a-wirepas-based-rf-mesh-communication-solution-for-advanced

Then I read this recent article

Silicon Labs and Wirepas joint offering or smart buildings, smart tracking and smart metering

Published : Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 11:17 pm.

They discuss solutions in Nigeria, Scandinavia etc but also India

" We are actively participating in several ongoing India smart metering tenders and expect the majority of the 250 million smart meter tenders to be awarded by the first half of 2023, where our EFR32FG23 SoC and Wirepas Mesh 865-868 MHz profile are an excellent fit for the smart metering market needs. That is continuation of the success story of millions of smart meters together in the Nordic countries".

I find it intriguing WHY would Silicon labs partner with CC in March 23, stating

"CyanConnode's adoption of SiLabs' flagship SoC and Wi-SUN will ensure that it continues to meet the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) required by the Government of India"

and then also partner with Wirepas on 9th May stating they are involved in

and then Wirpas in May 23 Silicon Labs and Wireplas state "We are actively participating in several ongoing India smart metering tenders ". We must assume that the wirepas / Silicon tenders also meet the SLAs required.

http://us.acrofan.com/detail.php?number=825756&UA=PC

Anyone have any views, on why Silicon labs feel the need to partner with two rf providers to compete in the Indian rollout. They have stated they are already in a few with wireplas, I / we just don't know which ones.

Just to be clear, both accounts are referring to Smart meter rollouts in India, and not smart city .

This is like reading a detective novel, but without knowing who wins it. :) Cheers Vas.

Hi LT,

That was my exact thought when i read it.

I have no idea, but I would have thought that all new tenders going out in India would have the transition element from 3,4 and 5G covered, as it is a known known, and is very likely to happen - so i was surprised to read that piece.

Just as well CC have that covered as it would have made their technology obsolete in a matter of few years.

Regarding the new prepaid meter tenders in India, and awards. Do CC have a distinct advantage in India being able to cheaply transition to 5G, or is this in your view just as easily possible using any communication method and just an expectation form utilities, rather than a Unique selling point in itself.

Just in case it has not been posted already.

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=617806090448031&set=pcb.617808507114456&locale=sw_KE

HI CB,

There seems to be at least five tenders out for Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam in five clusters, separate tenders.

If you look at list below, notice tenders 2,3,4,5,6 all close in twelve days.

https://www.tender247.com/organization/Madhyanchal+Vidyut+Vitran+Nigam+Limited+Tenders

More of the same here from Feb, though.

https://www.dailypioneer.com/2023/state-editions/experts-question--fresh-tenders-for--smart-meters.html

Hi CB,

Published May 24th, and covers UPPCL, and others , so not directly relevant but interesting.

Lot of discussion in this document about 2g, 3g ,4g and 5g, and questions asked about whether the new tenders are 5g compliant as 5g would have been rolled out in area by time meters are completed.

I have had this for while and not read it but doing the Ctrl and F search and type in " Prepaid " may help, as I'm sure you know.

Here is a cut and paste for section numbered 3.24.6 .

"As such the rule made by Central

government is in contradiction of the Electricity Act, 2003. The Licensees have

forgotten that the upgradation work of 2G and 3G smart metes already

installed in the State needs to be done by the Licensees as per their own

rollout plan. It is submitted that till the time Licensees will plan to procure 4

G smart meters, new 5 G smart meter technology may come in the market.

Therefore, it is requested that before the procurement of smart meters’

proper technical evaluation should be done so that the smart meter can be

upgraded with better technology in future, otherwise it will only be profitable

for Private Entities. "

Then continue reading with 3.24.7 and so on.

There could be more info here but i have not had time to look.

https://www.uppcl.org/site/writereaddata/siteContent/202305271709341074Tariff%20Order%20FY%2023-24.pdf

"

Interesting about the hand held x ray machine. Looks like Fuji and Qure,ai have been working on this solution for sometime.

Fujifilm partners with Qure.ai to make intelligent X-ray solutions

"According to Qure.ai, the AI will analyze X-ray images to detect abnormal findings within seconds. Fujifilm’s portable X-ray FDR Xair system are equipped with a new image processing box called Expansion Unit EX-Mobile enabling to connect with qXR software. It will assist clinicians and technicians by flagging abnormal findings at the point-of-care."

https://qure.ai/news_press_coverages/fujifilm-partners-with-qure-ai-to-make-intelligent-x-ray-solutions/

Portable X-ray Unit FDR Xair

"3.5 kg lightweight, portable X-ray device for various medical scenes such as patients’ homes."

https://www.fujifilm.com/uk/en/healthcare/x-ray/portable-x-ray/fdr-xair

Thanks LT for the information on Ajoy Rajani. appreciated.

Good posts Ndr50. Thanks.

Just need a break here, to get us into a market either in the UK, India, or Ukraine, or somewhere else...or all of the above.

I think the main frustration is these possible contracts are wrapped up in, and much slower because politics and national governments are involved in decision making, but again if we fall on the right side of a decision then it will be the making of FDBK. More patience needed i think.

Nice post about Ukraine , as the investment money for health infrastructure is waiting to invest but IMO once the war is over. They will not want to, or be able to replicate the previous tradition type of health care but something more modern, fast , and digital for their investment .

Cheers Vas

Do CC have a confirmed relationship with ADT?

"The company has also been awarded two smart metering contracts, one from BEST and another from Assam. While the company is in the process of closing its smart metering programme in Assam, that for BEST in Mumbai has already been closed.

Further, it is also taking part in many ongoing biddings processes across Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The firm is also expecting a major tender from Tamil Nadu too.

ATL is also in the process of changing its name to Adani Energy Solutions as it moves beyond transmission to distribution business and other energy solution aspects for customers. Earlier in May, the company received board approval for the name change.

On Monday, ATL received shareholders’ approval to raise up to `8,500 crore through issuance of shares through qualified institutional placement (QIP) or other modes."

https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/adani-transmission-on-track-to-complete-hvdc-project-in-mumbai/3134546/

Todays Award was part of " LEAP India Startup Summit 2023

"The Indian startup ecosystem has grown at an exponential rate in recent years. With 94,000+ DPIIT recognized startups, India has the world’s third largest startup ecosystem until March 2023. Number of unicorns added in India outpaced China for the second consecutive year in 2022. In the last three years, India has seen the birth of 81 unicorns, bringing the country's total unicorn valuation to US$ 345 billion. While these figures paint a positive picture of India as a startup nation, they also highlight the importance of an ecosystem that fosters innovation and ambition. Through the implementation of progressive policies and the development of relevant infrastructure, the Government of India plays a critical role in facilitating the growth of early-stage startups. Startup India is one of the few initiatives that have become a globally recognized journey of India’s fast paced innovating and resilient entrepreneurial ecosystem."

What I find intriguing is not only India treat CC as a start up, but they also see CC as a Indian entity, as one of their own. Which can only be a good thing IMO.

https://www.dnb.co.in/events/leapindiastartupsummit/default.aspx

Hi Tony,

Crystal can also supply Cellular/RF.

"offers choices of communication ranging from RF Mesh to 2G/3G/4G. We offer Single Phase and Three Phase Residential Smart Meters which are also functionally configurable to match the needs of every household. OTA updates keep the meter ready for the upcoming changes throughout its lifetime of up to 20 years."

https://www.crystalpower.in/1phase.aspx

Thanks LT. You may well be correct. I sometimes post links to things , just jn case it makes sense to someone else.

I gave no problem with observations or corrections as just trying to put together this very large, moving puzzle. Cheers vas

Morning LT,

This out today, which is coincidence as related to yesterdays post how "RF (as mentioned in earlier report) mesh canopy network is emerging as the latest trend, in smart cities .

ITI signs MOU with C-DOT and two others to develop communication products for smart city's. in India

https://affairscloud.com/current-affairs-21-june-2023/

Apologies if already posted. Below is a link to CITI's project page which includes work with CC in Assam on a Gateways Project, along with other projects involving a smart metering project involving (Adar India Pvt. Ltd. / Intellismart Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd), and another Gateway Project (CrystaI)

https://www.citipower.in/projects-6

Hi LT,

I should have added what the quote was referring too.

The quote on page 62 "RF mesh canopy network is emerging as the latest trend." is in relation to figure 21

which is entitled ....Emerging architecture for smart grid and smart city applications, with the rf nodes on the diagram for any application (AMI, Street Lights, Traffic Signals etc.)

So not just for the current Indian rollout, but also in future for other energy using devices that will need to be measured to get an accurate up to date picture of live demand, so the distribution company can purchase the energy in advance etc to meet demand.

Cheers Vas.

This document was published in Nov 22, so a bit out of date. However, there is some interesting info regarding three case studies of Indian discoms. Just thought i would post it in case there is info here that may not yet been disclosed.

The Indian case studies start on page 26.

And are explored in more detail in Annexe 4, Page 63.

Note the comment on page 62 re: Figure 21: Emerging architecture for smart grid and smart city applications

"RF mesh canopy network is emerging as the latest trend".

https://www.energyforum.in/fileadmin/user_upload/india/media_elements/publications/20230413_DISCOM_REPORTS/GIZ-Accenture_Smart_Meter_Interoperability.pdf

MAHARASHTRA IT-ITES POLICY 2023

As mentioned in last post. Here are a few choice highlights.

"An ambitious mission of making the state “the tech capital of India”. At present, it’s capital district of Mumbai already dons multiple hats, being the “financial capital”, the “data centers capital” and the “entertainment capital” of India. The state is clearly wanting to embark on consolidation of its position as an industrial powerhouse, and it aims at capturing a higher share of the fast-growing technology segments

Together, the policy envisages to create technology-centric jobs for 3.5 million people

Incentives for occupiers on stamp duty reduction, power tariffs, property tax, etc. have been announced, besides reimbursement of certain capex costs. To fulfill the demand-supply gap in the tech-centric manpower, leading institutes and industry bodies have been roped-in to partake in the skill development exercise. "

https://www.cushmanwakefield.com/en/india/insights/maharashtra-it-tes-policy-2023

More here.

Maharashtra minister of industries Uday Samant confirmed to HT on the sidelines of the London Tech Week 2023 that the focus will be on promoting innovation of tech, support for start-ups, and a special focus on semiconductor manufacturing.

Days after the Maharashtra government’s new IT/ITES Policy 2023 was announced, with a focus on promoting innovation in emerging technologies as well as additional subsidies, the state is in talks with companies in the UK for investment.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/business/maharashtra-woos-uk-companies-for-next-phase-of-investment-in-state-101687082301912.html